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BANGKOK: Thailand’s tourism industry on Tuesday (October 20) took a modest step toward reviving its coronavirus-hit fortunes by welcoming 39 visitors who flew in from Shanghai, the first such arrivals since it was banned. entry to regular travelers almost seven months ago.
Visitors to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport are pioneers in a “special tourist visa” program devised by the Thai authorities to step-by-step restore a sector of the economy that received nearly 40 million foreign visitors last year. and, according to some estimates, it represents more than 10 percent of the country’s GDP.
READ: ‘A step in the right direction’: Thai tour operators welcome special visa for foreigners
Bringing tourists from China was a natural choice. Thailand was one of the top overseas destinations for Chinese tourists in 2019, when they accounted for by far the largest number of visitors to Thailand by nationality.
Just as crucial is China’s ability to keep new coronavirus infections in check, a stark contrast to most other parts of the world that send visitors to Thailand.
That does not mean that visitors can freely roam the country. The special tourist visa has strict requirements.
Under the plan, which was first approved by the Thai cabinet in September, foreign tourists who commit to a stay of at least 30 days are given 90-day visas that can be renewed twice.
After arriving, they must remain in government-approved quarantine in a hotel or hospital for 14 days, and show confirmation that they have made arrangements for long-term accommodation. They must also have special insurance policies and be tested for the virus before departure.
READ: Private pools, fancy dining in Thailand’s lavish COVID-19 quarantine
Foreign tourists should also download an official coronavirus tracking app to use during their stay.
A press release issued by the airport quoted one of its operations managers, Kittipong Kittikachorn, as saying that the airport is ready for tourists with a system that can test for the coronavirus and deliver the result in 90 minutes. He said arrivals must go through three thermal scanners as they proceed through the airport.
“We can assure everyone that all of our measures are systematic and meet international standards,” Kittipong told the Associated Press.
Members of the media were not able to meet the arriving tourists.
At least two other flights from China are expected later this month, and Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports expects about 400 foreign visitors in early November. Future flights may land in other popular destinations, such as the southern resort island of Phuket.
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